Tanika Charles

“[T]he most buzzed-about soul singer in Toronto.” -CBC Music

In a few short years Tanika Charles has transformed from an emerging solo artist to a commanding performer and band leader, a staple of the Canadian soul scene. Both on stage and off, Edmonton-raised Charles presents an immutable charm, at times endearingly abrasive and honest in her vulnerabilities. Her art is inherently autobiographical. If Tanika’s singing it, she’s lived it.

In May of 2016 Tanika Charles’ released her Polaris Prize-nominated debut LP, Soul Run. The album’s first single and title track, a tale of withered romance and high octane escape, has landed regular national radio rotation, as has the second single “Two Steps”. Production work on the album is handled by Slakah the Beatchild (Glenn Lewis, Melanie Durrant), Daniel Lee (Hooded Fang, Phedre), Emdee and 2nd Son (allie), Christopher Sandes (The Big Sound), and Big Tweeze (Theo 3, Adam Bomb). The overarching sound is classic soul and heavy drums, without the need for retro crutches. Soul Run received overwhelmingly positive reviews with Now Magazine giving it an NNNN rating, and Exclaim! declaring it an 8/10.

“The passion, heartache and hell fury of a woman scorned are captured with crystal clarity and conviction…” -Now Magazine

Since 2010 Tanika has been lighting up stages near and far. Backed by her band The Wonderfuls, they have played festivals like NXNE, Pop Montreal, CBC Music Fest, TD Toronto Jazz Fest, TD Markham Jazz Fest, the AGO Massive Party, the Pan Am Games, and many more. Following the release of Soul Run, Tanika embarked on a successful 12 city Canadian tour from Montreal to Vancouver. On stage she has sang alongside the likes of Emmanuel Jal, Fred Penner, Donna Grantis, Johnny Reid, Bedouin Soundclash, and others. Tanika has also appeared on television both as a reoccurring guest on CBC Kids, and as a lounge singer on Global TV’s Bomb Girls drama series. Her music has been featured on HBO’s Less Than Kind, ABC’s Rookie Blue, The CW’s Seed, and CTV’s Saving Hope.